Peninsula People

Posted: Monday, June 10, 2002

Area students graduate from college with honors

Hannah Marie Sizemore of Soldotna graduated magna cum laude from the University of Northern Colorado. She received a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and works in the physical therapy department of Health South in Littleton, Colo. She plans to continue her graduate studies in women's health. She is a 1998 Soldotna High School graduate and the daughter of Sue and Bob Sizemore of Soldotna.

Karl Massera of Kenai graduated magna cum laude from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, with a bachelor's degree in mathematics.

Area students named to deans' lists

James R. Fletcher of Kenai was named to the honor roll for the spring semester at the University of Oklahoma Norman campus. To be named to the honor roll, students must be enrolled full time and earn a minimum grade point average of 3.5.

Jessica L. Foster of Soldotna was named to the dean's list for the spring semester at Harding University in Arkansas. Foster is a Soldotna High School graduate and the daughter of Steve and Becky Foster of Soldotna. She is a junior majoring in mathematics. To be named to the dean's list, students must be enrolled full time and maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.65.

Charles Ross Baldwin of Kenai was named to the dean's list for the spring semester at Abilene Christian University in Texas. To be named to the dean's list, students must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.5.

Soldotna youth awarded scholarship

Shari Issak of Soldotna was awarded a $2,000 All-College Scholarship from Aid Association for Lutherans/Lutheran Brotherhood. She is a graduate of Skyview High School. Scholarship selection was based on academic record, leadership qualities, church and community involvement and extracurricular activities.

Nikiski youth named to participate in pageant

Crystal Gimple of Nikiski has been selected queen of her community as part of the Miss Junior America competition. She has qualified to participate in the state and national rounds of competition to be held in Orange County, Calif., in August.

To participate in the competition, Gimple must earn community sponsorships.

If she wins at the state level, she will receive $5,000 in cash, prizes and trophies and go on to compete for the national title.

A Young Marine, former 4-H member and senior center volunteer, Gimple said she believes community service played a large role in her selection for the competition.

Soldotna teen to represent Alaska in competition

Kathryn Lockwood of Soldotna has been named Alaska Junior Miss and will advance to the national finals in the America's Junior Miss competition.

Lockwood recently graduated from Skyview High School where she was a student council member, captain of the soccer team, student representative to the school board and Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Student of the Year.

By winning the state level of the America's Junior Miss competition, Lockwood received a $2,000 scholarship to apply to the cost of her education at the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota.

At the national level, she will compete for a $50,000 first-place scholarship or a portion of the $225,000 is other scholarship money.

Contestants in the competition are judged in scholastics, interview, talent, fitness and poise. The national competition, held in Mobile, Ala., and hosted by 1976 Georgia Junior Miss Deborah Norville and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, will air on PAX at 8 p.m. June 28.

Homer youth gains internship at Sen. Stevens offices

Jennifer Ward of Homer is one of 12 recent Alaska high school graduates who began their work as summer interns at Sen. Ted Stevens' Washington, D.C., office June 1.

Ward, a recent Homer High School graduate, is the daughter of Lori and Ronald Ward of Homer. A participant in basketball, yearbook, newspaper and jazz band at Homer High, she plans to attend Northeastern University.

The student interns, from all around the state, were selected by Stevens to participate in the month-long program to experience government first-hand. The first session of internships runs from June 1 to 29.